to think that a level of competency should be required before using the self-scanner for a whole trolley load?

[MardyBra]

Here are the rules:

• You do not need to look for the barcode on every product. If you just wave it at the scanner it will pick up the barcode in most cases. Please note that there is a horizontal and vertical scanning facility.

• When you have scanned your item you do not have to stare at the screen in wonder checking to see if it has picked up on the right product.

• It's OK to pick up more than one item at a time from your trolley and scan them in quick succession.

• Yes you do need to put each item on the belt. I know it's annoying but it won't work unless you do. Sometimes, it doesn't register properly and all you have to do is put the item back on again.

• When weighing loose produce, you do not have to wait until the machine says "Key in the item's code or look up alphabetically" (every time!) before searching for the product. It will not break the machine if you insert a figure before the machine finishes saying "Quantity needed?" The same applies to waiting for instructions for the payment facilities.

• When you've finished your fumbling payment process, there is a dividing bar which can be placed between your shopping and mine to allow me to start procressing my shopping (more efficiently than you do). Please use it!

• Until you have mastered at least a few of these instructions, please practise on the hand basket facilities.

(And breathe).

Nobody?

I must be entirely reasonable then!

YANBU, but spare a thought for those of us who know perfectly well we can't do the scanning and sometimes aren't given the option. I'm fed up with shop assistants fannying around directing us all to the self-service checkout because they then have to spend five minutes helping me scan everything ... which I could have told them will happen!

But YANBU. Did she also look amazed at the machine when it demanded payment, or is that one saved up for interaction with a real person?

YABU
Supermarkets are closing staffed tills and directing people to self scan tills. What seems obvious to you in using a self scanner, isn't obvious to everyone.

Ooh you would love it when my 5 year old wants to get involved at self service [does my head in too mind you!]. Also toddler who manages to lean on bagging area bit causing machine melt down... I try to go shopping without the most irritating..the 5year old. I try to ignore dirty looks!!

Our local supermarket has magic fruit and veg scales. You put bag of stuff on and it works out what you've got and spits ticket out! Down to the variety of apple and everything. It is very clever. I have been buying lots of obscure fruit in attempts to catch it out.

The man who used to weigh everything for you now wanders about helping people use the scales...

YABU but understandably so! It can be frustrating waiting behind someone who is learning what to do but the fault really lies with the supermarkets trying to cut their costs (while still putting up their prices!) and not having enough staff to man tills.

I only use self scanners for small amounts. I like a person who will not only scan my items but help me pack them when I do a full weekly shop.

maybe the supermarkets should have a "learner lane" for people new to selfscanners with a member of staff to help, and a "fast lane" for expert scanners!

but then we would get loads of 20 something blokes all competing to be the fastest in the fast lane ... or is that the swimming pool lane etiquette thread i am thinking of again?

BeerTricks - didn't know about the disabling of the item removed announcement - that is seriously advanced scanning technique. Your DS sounds great.

In the school hols we have a truely advanced Time and Motion masterpiece going on. DS removes the items from the trolley and lines up for scanning (in weight order with heaviest first so these get packed first), DD scans and I pack/facilitate any scanning difficulties. 'Tis truly a marvel to watch.

Maryz - lmao at the calculator. I would be SOOO itching to intervene.

Actually, those of you who are still training, would you mind if I intervene next time I am behind you?

toomuchmonth been thinking about the fast lane - that's a good idea. They could flash up stats at the end - e.g. number of items processed and paid for per minute and have a leader board for the day/week. And maybe a prize for the week's fastest scanner.

I think it should be for quick service, 12 items or less at least. I hate seeing someone show up with a trolley full, who would get through the till faster if they went to a cashier. If you insist on using them, start with minimal items until you get it.

GotArt - my Sainsburys has two special "trolley" self scanners with conveyor belt and everything - that's the ones I mean.

i had a trolleey full and overflowing, but they wouldnt open a checkout 4 me, had2 use self scanner...

I won't use them, why would anybody? I'm sure the supermarkets would love to be fully mechanised, I mean.... it's not like anybody really needs a job, is it?

How can it be quicker to go through the self scanner if you have a trolley full?

I hate self service scanners.Grrr.In morrison every time I put an item in the bag the machine kept moaning at me,put the item in the bag.It hates you bagging at speed,so you have to do it at snail pace.Im glad I dont usually shop there.There the worst ones I've ever encountered

Yabu with your instructions. I am fine. Other people however...

I have witnessed

Full shop scanned and then the bugger goes "just off to get the cash out" and then proceeds to walk to other side of store/outside to ATM - two occasions I've witnessed this.

People who require an assistant to scan for them - tis a wrong queue issue not a self check out prob

People who stand about after they've paid for their shopping - presumably because no nimble checkout person is already scanning the next item to remind them to leave

People who lean on the scales/bagging area causing it to malfunction

People who don't know what fruit/veg it is they have bought

Random filing of loose fruit and veg items by Tesco. Occasionally peppers are not to be found under 'P'... no, they are under 'R' for Red Pepper

Those are the real issues

People who talk loudly to the machines

People who can't manage to pack into their own bag

The assistants who appear at my elbow to state the bleedin' obvious when I have just paused for breath but cannot be found when I have an "age restricted product" or the machine breaks down mid scan

MardyBra... Ours are only for baskets really, 25 items or less, and yet people pull up with a trolley full. Drives me nuts as I stand there with a box of kleenex, loaf of bread, milk and eggs. Then they take ages to pack bag it all too.

YABU you are the like scary lady I had behind me in Asda tutting.

OK can I just clarify that I am talking about scanning facilities for trolleys. They are different to the baskety ones - at least in my local Sainsbury's because they have proper conveyor belts and a big area for bagging at the end (with a dividing bar so the next person can get started while you bag).

Bibbity If there is a long queue at the normal checkout it's much faster to go through these as long as the person in front is competent at scanning.

nailak I would forgive you if there was no other facility available (just).

BarbaraHulanicki I reserve the right to tut if people have no common sense. However, it wasn't me in Asda - it's Sainsbury's or Waitrose all the way for me, but that's another thread .

KatieMiddleton Shocking behaviour in your local supermarket. Which low-life store are you shopping in?

Oh... the bagging thing. The shop I'm talking about is SuperStore in Canada and they don't have bags at all and the bagging area is still not set right to bag as you go. I saw a commercial years ago before these systems came and it showed a guy with all his stuff in a bag and he walked through an arch and the machine scanned and deducted the amount from a special card at the same time. That would be sweet. But then again, would probably cause brain cancer.